2012 Jaguar XF petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Jaguar XF first registered in 2012 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 440 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 440 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Jaguar XF petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Jaguar XF petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Ball joint dust cover2.8× usualJaguar XF6.8% All 2012 cars2.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Common 2012 Jaguar XF petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 Jaguar XF petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension27% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Tyres25% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Brakes23% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Lights and electrics9% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors5% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Driveshafts and joints2% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Known faults on the 2012 Jaguar XF petrol
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Many recalls (19)
The XF has had 19 recalls, covering rear seatbelts, instrument clusters, fuel starvation, fuel and power steering leaks, short circuits, chafing brake pipes, airbags, suspension and engine fuelling.
At the viewing: Ask a Jaguar dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- All engines
Fast-wearing rear brakes
The rear pads wear quickly, and if they’re left too long the discs get damaged too.
At the viewing: Look at the rear discs for a lip or scoring, and ask when the pads were last done.
- All engines
Tyre pressure sensors failing
The tyre pressure sensors in the valves can corrode and stop working.
At the viewing: Make sure no tyre pressure warning shows.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Jaguar XF petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done? Can a Jaguar dealer confirm from the VIN?
- Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2012 Jaguar XF petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Jaguar XF?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Jaguar XF compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 141 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 1,410 | Tyres 23% |
| 2020 | 4,056 | Tyres 26% |
| 2019 | 10,027 | Tyres 27% |
| 2018 | 17,122 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 20,916 | Tyres 27% |
| 2016 | 25,089 | Tyres 28% |
| 2015 | 29,246 | Tyres 32% |
| 2014 | 36,419 | Tyres 32% |
| 2013 | 32,809 | Tyres 32% |
| 2011 | 24,300 | Suspension 39% |
| 2010 | 27,047 | Suspension 41% |
| 2009 | 19,427 | Suspension 45% |
| 2008 | 14,559 | Suspension 43% |
| 2007 | 150 | Suspension 37% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Jaguar XF cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score